Lashawn Smith
Brooksville,FL
Summary
Accomplished educator with a proven track record at Hillsborough County Schools, adept in fostering student growth and community involvement. Specializes in creating engaging, multisensory learning experiences and excelling in classroom management and phonics instruction. Demonstrated success in enhancing student engagement and literacy rates through innovative teaching strategies.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
1st Grade Elementary Teacher
Hillsborough County Schools
06.2014 - Current
- Organized field trips and special events that enriched the curriculum and provided memorable learning experiences for students.
- Participated in professional development opportunities to stay current on educational trends, enhancing instructional techniques accordingly.
- Developed creative lesson plans that incorporated hands-on activities and real-life connections, promoting critical thinking skills.
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop cross-curricular projects that reinforced important concepts across multiple subjects.
- Mentored new teachers by sharing best practices, resources, and guidance based on personal experience in the classroom.
- Established strong relationships with parents through regular communication, involving them in their child''s education and fostering a supportive home-school partnership.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively, implementing consistent expectations and consequences for improved focus and productivity.
- Served on school committees focused on curriculum development, safety initiatives, or community outreach programs contributing positively to the overall school environment.
- Pursued professional development during summer months to maintain certification and extend skills.
- Taught lessons encompassing skill-building activities in speaking, writing, reading and listening.
- Integrated technology and multimedia tools into lessons to enhance student learning.
Kindergarten Teacher
Walton Academy for the Performing Arts
08.2009 - 05.2014
- Promoted learning through play with engaging activities, games and lessons.
- Evaluated student progress regularly through formative assessments to inform instructional decisions.
- Collaborated with colleagues to share resources, brainstorm ideas, and problem-solve challenges faced in the classroom environment.
- Developed strong relationships with families to address any concerns or issues impacting student success.
- Implemented differentiated instruction strategies to meet the diverse learning needs of all students.
- Created, managed, and participated in variety of learning environments and activities to support opportunities for students to develop full potential and achieve learning objectives.
- Promoted a positive learning environment with the use of collaborative group work and hands-on activities.
- Built positive relationships with students and families for safe, trusted learning support.
- Increased parent involvement through regular communication, parent-teacher conferences, and workshops.
- Reported to parents and administration about student progress.
- Improved learning with well-prepared lesson plans that cater to various learning styles and needs.
Lead VPK Teacher
Bible Based Christian Academy
01.1999 - 05.2009
- Enhanced student engagement with hands-on projects that fostered critical thinking skills.
- Improved literacy rates by implementing phonics-based instruction and interactive activities.
- Mentored new teachers in VPK program best practices, leading to increased consistency across classrooms.
- Participated in professional development opportunities to stay current on teaching methods and early childhood education research findings.
- Evaluated student performance using various assessment tools, providing targeted feedback for improvement.
- Established strong connections with local community organizations, resulting in valuable partnerships and resources for the VPK program.
- Increased attendance rates through proactive outreach to families experiencing challenges or barriers to attending school regularly.
Education
No Degree - Elementary Education
University of South Florida
Tampa, FLMaster of Arts - Elementary Education
Ashford University
San Diego, CA08-2011
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education
Ashford University
San Diego, CA04-2009
Skills
- Health and safety
- Growth mindset
- Visual aids creation
- Parent-teacher communication
- Field trip planning
- Positive reinforcement
- Social skills development
- Collaborative learning
- Phonics instruction
- Special education support
- Multisensory teaching
- Community involvement
- Science instruction
- Individualized learning
- Mathematics instruction
- Writing instruction
- Peer collaboration
- Hands-on activities
- Reading comprehension strategies
- Anti-bullying strategies
- Safety awareness
- Problem-solving skills
- Time management
- Collaborative teamwork
- Classroom management
Teach of the Year 2019 & 2024
Excellence in Education is a premier award that celebrate over 600 outstanding educators and school personnel who consistently bring forth their best efforts and utilize their talents to ensure all students benefits from high quality education.
The teacher of the year award recognizes outstanding teachers who have been nominated by their school site for their dedication to the academic achievement of their students.
Timeline
1st Grade Elementary Teacher
Hillsborough County Schools
06.2014 - Current
Kindergarten Teacher
Walton Academy for the Performing Arts
08.2009 - 05.2014
Lead VPK Teacher
Bible Based Christian Academy
01.1999 - 05.2009
No Degree - Elementary Education
University of South Florida
Master of Arts - Elementary Education
Ashford University
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education
Ashford University
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